Abstract
Identifying the signals of artificial selection can contribute to further shaping economically important traits. Here, a chicken 600k SNP-array was employed to detect the signals of artificial selection using 331 individuals from 9 breeds, including Jingfen (JF), Jinghong (JH), Araucanas (AR), White Leghorn (WL), Pekin-Bantam (PB), Shamo (SH), Gallus-Gallus-Spadiceus (GA), Rheinlander (RH) and Vorwerkhuhn (VO). Per the population genetic structure, 9 breeds were combined into 5 breed-pools, and a ‘two-step’ strategy was used to reveal the signals of artificial selection. GA, which has little artificial selection, was defined as the reference population, and a total of 204, 155, 305 and 323 potential artificial selection signals were identified in AR_VO, PB, RH_WL and JH_JF, respectively. We also found signals derived from standing and de-novo genetic variations have contributed to adaptive evolution during artificial selection. Further enrichment analysis suggests that the genomic regions of artificial selection signals harbour genes, including THSR, PTHLH and PMCH, responsible for economic traits, such as fertility, growth and immunization. Overall, this study found a series of genes that contribute to the improvement of chicken breeds and revealed the genetic mechanisms of adaptive evolution, which can be used as fundamental information in future chicken functional genomics study.
Highlights
Chickens, like all other domestic animals, have a long history of artificial selection that dates back for centuries [1, 2]
The detection of artificial selection signals, which is a central focus in the study of population genetics, can contribute to mapping the causal mechanisms related to economic traits in the genome and provide a clear understanding of how diversity evolved in various chicken breeds
We identified the artificial selection signals based on nine chicken breeds using multiple statistical methods and further discussed the possible classifications of those signals
Summary
Like all other domestic animals, have a long history of artificial selection that dates back for centuries [1, 2]. The genetic information responsible for many notable changes in simple Mendelian traits have been successfully mapped, genetic signals for most economic traits that are modified during artificial selection are still unclear [3]. The detection of artificial selection signals, which is a central focus in the study of population genetics, can contribute to mapping the causal mechanisms related to economic traits in the genome and provide a clear understanding of how diversity evolved in various chicken breeds. During domestication and subsequent commercial breeding, a variety of detectable selection signals were maintained in the genome [1, 4, 5].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
